incredulous

adjective

(ˌ)in-ˈkre-jə-ləs How to pronounce incredulous (audio)
Definition of incredulousnext
1
as in skeptical
inclined to doubt or question claims incredulous by nature, I'm of course very suspicious of anyone who claims to be able to communicate with the dead

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in incredible
too extraordinary or improbable to believe an incredulous account of alien abduction that the tabloids had a field day with

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of incredulous Those reporting her firing or the incredulous facts supporting that fiction have exhibited a complete and utter reckless disregard for the truth. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026 When a boater posted footage of the new island on social media, incredulous officials thought the video was AI-generated, according to the New York Times. — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 2 Sep. 2026 Besides, there are tree branches to bundle, coupons to clip, guacamole to toss out, incredulous news reports to run through Snopes and at least 20 spam texts to block. — Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026 His incredulous response opens the door to a fight that escalates quickly. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for incredulous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for incredulous
  1. skeptical
  2. incredible
  3. suspicious
  4. unlikely
  5. cautious
  6. impossible
  7. disbelieving
  8. unbelievable
Adjective
  • In one image, Grande’s Olivia Jones stands beside De Niro’s Byrnes, who wears a decidedly skeptical expression, her hand resting on his German shepherd.
    — Alicia Urrea, Billboard, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Jorge Piñón, an energy researcher at the University of Texas at Austin, is skeptical of the data and noted that only sanctioned Cuban state energy company CUPET has the capacity to store such a large quantity of fuel in one month.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of skeptical
Adjective
  • It’s crafted by these incredible artists and craftsmen who build the world with their own hands.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Ditka died Friday at age 86, and Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell and Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh both recalled incredible stories about the Chicago Bears legend.
    — Ryan Canfield OutKick, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of incredible
Adjective
  • Strong antivirus software can help detect malicious downloads, suspicious links and other threats that may show up in follow-up scams.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026
  • Abby became suspicious of Kuehl during a private conversation about possible traitors in the group.
    — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of suspicious
Adjective
  • Rain rates are probably going to be a quarter of an inch per hour or less, making debris flow and landslides unlikely.
    — Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The Times’ belated discovery of Bragg’s malpractice emerged through an unlikely incident that has not been reported in full.
    — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unlikely
Adjective
  • The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Feigenbaum offered a more cautious interpretation, describing some of the violent perpetrators as fringe provocateurs who exploit broader demonstrations without necessarily directing them.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • All four getting in is probably impossible; even three Best Picture nominations for a single studio is extremely rare in the modern era.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • And no style is over $100, which honestly feels impossible these days.
    — Jessie Quinn, StyleCaster, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of impossible
Adjective
  • During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner's character Ray Kinsella.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • During one scene, Scherrman appears for a few seconds as the catcher in a game interrupted by Timothy Busfield, the disbelieving brother-in-law of Kevin Costner’s character Ray Kinsella.
    — Dave Campbell, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of disbelieving
Adjective
  • So to be able to sort of sit at her feet and just listen to her life was an unbelievable gift.
    — Jem Aswad, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The final home game on the Capitals' regular season schedule this season is a matchup against the Penguins, which could set up an unbelievable scene with Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby battling things out at least one more time.
    — Mark Harris OutKick, FOXNews.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of unbelievable

Browse Nearby Words

incredulity
incredulous
incredulously
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Cite this Entry

“Incredulous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/incredulous. Accessed 15 Oct. 2026.

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